FIVE people were killed in the powerful explosion of a truckload of gelatin sticks at a stone crushing unit in Shivamogga district on Thursday night. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa assured action against unlawful mining and those responsible for the mishap.

 

Conceding illegal mining in Shivamogga, his native district, Yediyurappa said the quarry owner and two of his associates have been arrested for the explosion and he would inspect the blast site on Saturday.

 

While police on Thursday night said at least six labourers in the truck were killed in the explosion that left the bodies dismembered beyond recognition, Yediyurappa told reporters that five people were dead. Announcing an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each to the families of the victims, he said a probe into the explosion was on and a team of officials, including those from bomb disposal, mines and geology departments, were on the job.

 

A clear picture on the casualty was expected to emerge soon with the authorities not ruling out the possibility of the death toll increasing, citing reports that there may have been more people at the site when the mishap occurred.

Some reports also claimed that at least 15 persons were killed.

 

The booming sound of the blast initially made local people mistake it for an earthquake and it was heard in nearby areas in neighbouring Davangere, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts too.

 

In Shivamogga, the effect was so severe with some houses developing cracks, while roof tiles and window panes were shattered to pieces.

 

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders on Friday expressed grief over the death of several labourers in Shivamogga.